Pug ‘taught Nazi salute’

A MAN who posted an online video clip in which he taught a dog to give a Nazi salute when he said “sieg heil” or “gas the Jews” appeared in court this week charged with a hate crime.

Mark Meechan, 29, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he taught the pug the salute in an effort to annoy his girlfriend, who owned the dog.

In the video, posted in April, Mr Meechan can be heard saying: “My girlfriend is always ranting and raving about how cute and adorable her wee dog is so I thought I would turn him into the least cute thing I could think of, which is a Nazi.”

The dog can be seen stretching out his paw in an attempt at the salute when given the “sieg heil” command.

Ephraim Borowski, director of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities told Airdrie sheriff court thathis organisation’s website had been “bombarded with abusive comments” after the video appeared online. The court heard that Mr Meechan posted a later video in which he apologised for any offence caused.

The dog gives a Nazi salute in the video